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Amina Al-Jeffery: Father disputes 'locked up' daughter claim | Amina Al-Jeffery: Father disputes 'locked up' daughter claim |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A father accused of imprisoning his daughter in Saudi Arabia said he was "trying to help" her, a court was told. | A father accused of imprisoning his daughter in Saudi Arabia said he was "trying to help" her, a court was told. |
Mohammed Al-Jeffery says he took Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, from Swansea to Jeddah in 2012 to "save her life". | Mohammed Al-Jeffery says he took Amina Al-Jeffery, 21, from Swansea to Jeddah in 2012 to "save her life". |
The dual British and Saudi Arabian national wants to return to the UK and claims she is being held against her will, denied food and water. | The dual British and Saudi Arabian national wants to return to the UK and claims she is being held against her will, denied food and water. |
Her lawyers are asking the High Court in London to come to her aid. Her father disputes the allegations. | Her lawyers are asking the High Court in London to come to her aid. Her father disputes the allegations. |
He has claimed she had become "reckless", taking drugs in her teenage years and accused the British government of "doing nothing". | He has claimed she had become "reckless", taking drugs in her teenage years and accused the British government of "doing nothing". |
Representing Mr Al-Jeffery, Marcus Scott-Manderson QC told the judge, Mr Justice Holman: "The father says today he does not want to discuss Amina's return. | Representing Mr Al-Jeffery, Marcus Scott-Manderson QC told the judge, Mr Justice Holman: "The father says today he does not want to discuss Amina's return. |
"He does not want to speak to m'lord. He says that is because [of] what he has seen in the media. | "He does not want to speak to m'lord. He says that is because [of] what he has seen in the media. |
"He wants to help Amina... he says he brought her to Saudi Arabia to help her." | "He wants to help Amina... he says he brought her to Saudi Arabia to help her." |
During the hearing on Wednesday, barristers representing her said it had been difficult to receive instructions from her - but she had spoken to a member of staff at the British Consulate in Jeddah. | During the hearing on Wednesday, barristers representing her said it had been difficult to receive instructions from her - but she had spoken to a member of staff at the British Consulate in Jeddah. |
She told them there had been a practice of "locking her in her room", and her younger sister had been told she was an "evil girl". | She told them there had been a practice of "locking her in her room", and her younger sister had been told she was an "evil girl". |
She described "metal bars" on her bedroom and being a "locked-up girl with a shaved head", her lawyers said. | She described "metal bars" on her bedroom and being a "locked-up girl with a shaved head", her lawyers said. |
Mr Scott-Manderson said her father "says it's not true that he shaved Amina, he says Amina did that because she wanted to be shaved". | Mr Scott-Manderson said her father "says it's not true that he shaved Amina, he says Amina did that because she wanted to be shaved". |
The judge is considering whether to make an order that she be brought back to the UK, or allowed to meet with the British Consulate without her father being present. | The judge is considering whether to make an order that she be brought back to the UK, or allowed to meet with the British Consulate without her father being present. |
The judge said: "There are limits on the powers of enforcement - there are no reciprocal agreements between the UK and Saudi Arabia." | The judge said: "There are limits on the powers of enforcement - there are no reciprocal agreements between the UK and Saudi Arabia." |
Mr Scott-Manderson added: "The father says Amina was at risk in Britain and the British government did nothing to help her. | Mr Scott-Manderson added: "The father says Amina was at risk in Britain and the British government did nothing to help her. |
"That's not a criticism of the British people, but he says Amina is reckless and cannot help herself and he has to help her. | "That's not a criticism of the British people, but he says Amina is reckless and cannot help herself and he has to help her. |
"He says that the applicant's solicitor has been in contact throughout, he says, with the applicant." | "He says that the applicant's solicitor has been in contact throughout, he says, with the applicant." |
Mr Justice Holman asked if Mr Scott-Manderson was able to elaborate on what she was at risk of in Britain. | Mr Justice Holman asked if Mr Scott-Manderson was able to elaborate on what she was at risk of in Britain. |
Mr Scott-Manderson relayed his client's concerns, claiming she had not been focusing on school, had been taking drugs, "going to clubs and spending time with older men". | Mr Scott-Manderson relayed his client's concerns, claiming she had not been focusing on school, had been taking drugs, "going to clubs and spending time with older men". |
He said the Saudi government was paying Mr Al-Jeffery's legal bills, via the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. | He said the Saudi government was paying Mr Al-Jeffery's legal bills, via the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
It is not yet know when any ruling will be made. |